All-Natural and Delicious Homemade Beauty Recipes

Greening our beauty routine doesn't have to be a difficult task. One of the best ways to green your beauty if by preparing your own DIY treatments at home featuring fresh, natural ingredients that have no artificial colors, preservatives or fragrances—and that involve absolutely no testing on animals. I want to share with you a few homemade recipes that not only sound delicious, but feel that way too!

Sublime Sunflower Scrub

Sunflower seeds, rich in vitamin E oil, make an excellent facial scrub. This recipe can be used to cleanse your skin, leaving your face incredibly soft and smooth. You may also use it for an all-over, full-body treatment.Ingredients:
1/2 cup raw sunflowers seeds, shelled
Distilled water for mixing

In a food processor or coffee grinder, process the raw seeds until you have a fine powder that resembles coarse sugar. Pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. Mix 1 tablespoon of the ground sunflower seeds with a few teaspoons of water to create a smooth paste. You can do this in the palm of your hand or in a ceramic bowl. Massage the mixture into your face and neck, and rinse well with warm water followed by cool water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

In a double broiler or the microwave, heat the cocoa butter, coconut oil and vitamin E oil gently until melted. Stir in the chocolate and keep stirring until melted and well blended. Pour into a small lip gloss container and allow to cool completely. Spread on lips with a clean fingertip or lip brush.

Yields: 1/2 oz

Cleopatra Milk Bath

Although no one knows exactly what Cleopatra looked like, there's no doubt that her beauty was captivating. One of her greatest beauty secrets was her milk bath. With this recipe, you can enjoy a milk bath like Cleopatra in your own home.Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried mint
Peel of 1 orange
Peel of 1 lemon
2 cups boiling water
1 small (9.6-oz) box dried milk, enough to make 3 quarts; if you have oily skin, use nonfat milk powder

Combine the herbs and citrus peels in a large ceramic bowl. Pour the boiling water over the herbs and peels and allow to steep for several hours (even overnight). Strain off the liquid, removing all solids. Add the milk powder to this solution. Draw a warm (not hot) bath, and pour the entire mixture into the bath water. Soak in the tub for as long as you like, but at least 20 minutes. Rinse the milk off your skin with warm water; you don't want it to sour on your skin, creating an unpleasant smell. Pat dry and moisturize your body.

Yields: Approximately 16 oz, enough for one bath

Green Goddess Body Mask

It's important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which help produce healthy skin and hair from the inside out. You can also put fresh "green" ingredients on your body; they add moisture to your skin, making it soft and smooth.Ingredients:
1 cup sliced fresh carrot root
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups fresh, sliced zucchini squash
1/2 cup vegetable water (see instructions) or fresh water
1/2 cup French green clay or any natural clay

Combine all the fresh vegetables in a steamer or microwave-safe container. Steam until they are soft and tender and can easily be pierced with a fork. Let the vegetables cool completely and save 1/2 cup of their cooking water as the vegetable water. Place the cooked vegetables and water in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Using a fork or whisk, stir in the natural clay. When you finish mixing, you should have a smooth, creamy, pale green mixture. Spread the mask all over your body using your fingers or a small paintbrush. Let it sit on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off the mixture in a warm shower and use a rich moisturizer afterward.